On this Day in History: July 29, 1921 - The Council on Foreign Relations is incorporated in New York City by a group of bankers and other influentials, including John D Rockefeller. The CFR remains a vital component of the New World Order, and is surpassed in importance only by the Trilateral Commission. Now that you have this information, you know too much.

Born on this Day in History: July 29, 1966 - Martina McBride (1966 - ) Kansas-born country singer Martina McBride got her big break as a sideliner to Tim McGraw. Her second album "The Way That I Am" (1993) popped to the top of the charts, and her amazing vocal range led to awards for Best Female Vocalist with the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music and the American Music Awards.

On this Day in History: July 28, 1957 - A C-124 transport plane carrying three nuclear weapons jettisons its precious cargo into the Atlantic, somewhere east of Delaware and New Jersey. The bombs are never recovered.

Born on this Day in History: July 28, 1929 - Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929 - 1994) Born Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, Jackie Onassis married John F. Kennedy in 1953. As first lady, she promoted the arts, history and high style. The couple had two children, Caroline and John. After Kennedy's death, she married Greek magnate Aristotle Onassis. In later years, Onassis lived quietly and worked in publishing.

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene at Walmart while journeying to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

The DirecTV Story:

Regarding DIrecTV: I had been a subscriber to DirecTV since 1995 when I cancelled my service last week.

Despite that, I was told when I called to cancel that the following would apply:

1) I would be charged $200 for early termination--based on some arcane verbiage buried deep within the lengthy contract.

2) I would be required to return all equipment.This, despite the fact that I gave the installer RCA and a Sony satellite receivers when he delivered and installed the HD DVR--although they had been purchased at a cost of around $1200 each from Sears. I had argued this point--imagining that paying $2400 for two satellite receivers constituted ownership. He refused to complete the installation until I gave him the receivers. Eager as I was to see programming on my shiny new 49" Vizio LCD HDTV, I gave him the receivers.

3) My recounting of this experience fell upon uncaring ears--as did my espousal that the period of my contract--2 years--had been satisfied long ago. While I found it inconceivable they would take such a position, it gets WORSE:

4. I said I had purchased the only receiver I had--a high-end and expensive HD DVR unit and that i found it ridiculous that they would consider it THEIR property! This was met with: "Why would you want to keep it if you have no service?" My reply to this was, "Should I decide to park my Dodge Nitro R/T, I would not expect that Chrysler would demand that I return it to them! This was met with an inane remark with which I shall not bore readers of this tale.

5. THEN, the rep said, "Why have you been paying for two receivers if you only have one?" The tone suggested I was attempting to get away without returning yet another receiver that I had purchased at some point.

My response was, "The reason I have been paying each month for a second receiver is I gave up two years ago attempting to explain to another of your ilk that when the installer set up the HD dish and HD DVR (and confiscated my RCA and Sony receivers!), I told him I wanted the Sony kept in the bedroom so would be able to use it in there. He said that wouldn't work because it would not work with the new HD dish. (He lied, of course.) He took down the RCA dual-feed dish at that time. So for months I telephoned to complain each time a bill arrived that I only had ONE receiver and was being charged for two! I assume you will be as unresponsive to that as have been those who have gone before you!"

This met with a snort.

At that point, I said, "This has been mind-numbing trying to communicate with an incompetent, minimum-wage, telephone creature who obviously is still well within the primitive learning stages of English as a Second Language. Please complete my request and allow me to return to the real world."

THEN, she began on a course of attempting to dissuade me from discontinuing the service! She blathered for a few minutes. I could take no more. I used Ultra Voice Changer Deluxe to speak TO her. I chose the "possessed"setting, and the Android app produced just the atmosphere to cause her to give my call to her supervisor! I put her on hold without telling her and recorded the message, "I know where you've been...I saw what you did!" When I held my XOOM up to the telephone and played that message, she offered no response. Soon, however, a supervisor--speaking fluent English--said, "So you want to drop your service? I can handle that for you."I said, "Yes. Please." There was a brief silence of a few seconds, following which, he said, "Done. Is there anything Else I can help you with today?" I said, "No."He said, "Have a nice day."

On this Day in History: July 27, 2002 - A Sukhoi SU-27 fighter crashes and explodes at an air show in the Ukraine, killing 78 and injuring more than 100 others. It is the worst airshow crash in history. The two pilots ejected and survived.

Born on this Day in History: July 27, 1948 - Peggy Fleming (1948 - ) Born in San Jose, California, ice skater Peggy Fleming won the world championship three times, plus an Olympic gold in 1968. She went on to become an ABC-TV commentator.

On this Day in History: July 26, 1947 - The National Security Council is created.

Born on this Day in History: July 26, 1943 - Mick Jagger (1943 - ) Born in Dartford, England, rock singer Mick Jagger attended the London School of Economics, but left to form The Rolling Stones. In 1962, the group released its first single. Popular for three decades, Jagger wrote and sang many of the Stones' hits, including "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" (1965). He was knighted in 2002.

On this Day in History: July 25th, 1917 - Margaretha Geertruida Zelle, also known as Mata Hari, is found guilty of spying and is sentenced to death.

Born on this Day in History: July 25, 1955 - Iman(1955 - ) Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, political science major and translator Iman Abdulmajid entered the world of modeling in 1973, after a fashion scout begged her to pose for photos. She became a fashion icon overnight, but retired in 1989 to pursue new ventures. She now runs her own cosmetics line, and is a political activist for her home country.

On this Day in History: July 22, 1994 - In court, O.J. pleads "absolutely, 100% not guilty" of savagely killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.

Born on this Day in History: July 22, 1964 - John Leguizamo (1964 - ) Born in Bogota, Columbia, actor John Leguizamo started out as a stand-up comedian playing the New York nightclub circuit. He eventually landed gigs in films such as Casualties of War (1989), Carlito's Way (1993) and Moulin Rouge! (2001). More recently, he provided the voice of Sid the Sloth in the family-friendly Ice Age franchise.

On this Day in History: July 21, 1925 - John Scopes is found guilty of teaching evolution in a Tennessee public school. The jury fines him $100.

Born on this Day in History: July 21, 1899 - Ernest Hemingway (1899 - 1961) - Born in Oak Park, Illinois, writer Ernest Hemingway served in an ambulance corps in World War I. Later based in Paris, he was part of Gertrude Stein's expatriate circle. His first novel, The Sun Also Rises (1926) gained instant acclaim and A Farewell to Arms (1929) put him in the front ranks. In 1927, Hemingway settled in the U.S.

On this Day in History: July 20, 1969 - On live television, the world watches as Neil Armstrong steps foot on the Moon.

Born on this Day in History: July 20, 1947 - Carlos Santana (1947 - ) Born in AutlÃ¡n de Navarro, Mexico, musician Carlos Santana began playing guitar at 8. In 1966, he formed the Santana Blues Band, and their debut album went triple platinum. Santana earned his first Grammy in 1987. A decade later, Santana won Grammys in every category, tying Michael Jackson's 1983 record.

On this Day in History: July 19, - 1991 - Heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson rapes Desiree Washington, one of the Miss Black America contestants, after a pageant rehearsal. The illicit nookie lands Tyson in prison for three years.

Born on this Day in History: July 19, 1834 - Edgar Degas (1834 - 1917) Born in Paris, artist Edgar Degas was associated with the French Impressionists. He is famous for his mastery of drawing the human figure in motion. His works include "Dancer Lacing her Shoe" and "Jockeys in the Rain."

On this Day in History: July 18, 1969 - Driving home from a party on Chappaquiddick Island, Senator Ted Kennedy's car goes over the side of Dike Bridge and flips over into a pond. Kennedy manages to free himself from the automobile, but his passenger, one Mary Jo Kopechne, drowns. For some reason, Kennedy tells no one about the accident for at least an hour, and waits until the following morning to notify local police.

Born on this Day in History: July 18, 1918 - Nelson Mandela (1918 - ) South African statesman and president (1994-99), born in Transkei, SE South Africa. He was a lawyer in Johannesburg, then joined the African National Congress in 1944. For the next 20 years he directed a campaign of defiance against the South African government and its racist policies.

On this Day in History: July 15, 1869 - During war with Prussia, French ruler Napoleon III commissions Hippolye Mege Mouries to find a butter substitute. A patent for margarine is issued, it being based on beef fat instead of milk fat.

Born on this Day in History: July 15, 1961 - Forest Whitaker (1961 - ) After college quarterback Forest Whitaker was sidelined with an injury, he began studying opera and drama. His debut in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) led to a series of critically acclaimed roles, including Platoon (1986) and Good Morning, Vietnam (1987). His performance in 2006's The Last King of Scotland earned Whitaker an Academy Award.

On this Day in History: July 14, 1881 - In the Sumner, New Mexico home of his friend Pete Maxwell, notorious outlaw Billy the Kid steps into a darkened bedroom and is shot dead by sheriff Pat Garrett. Billy's last words are "¿Quién es?" (Who is it?)

Born on this Day in History: July 14, 1912 - Woody Guthrie (1912 - 1967) Born in Okemah, Oklahoma, folk musician and songwriter Woody Guthrie lived a hobo's life until becoming a radio personality in Los Angeles in 1937. He wrote or adapted more than 1000 songs, including "This Land is Your Land" (1940). Guthrie spent his last years ravaged by Huntington's chorea.

On this Day in History: July 13, 1994 - Tonya Harding's ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, is sentenced in Portland, Oregon, to two years in prison for his role in the attack on Nancy Kerrigan. He serves six months.

Born on this Day in History: July 13, 1942 - Harrison Ford (1942 - ) Born in Chicago, Illinois, actor Harrison Ford served a long apprenticeship before achieving stardom in Star Wars (1977) and Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). Later films enhanced his reputation. Ford received the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award in 2000.